What are my chances of getting accepted?

J

JWavey17

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Oct 21, 2021
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Right now I’m a junior in high school. My grades are above average (3.76 unweighted GPA, but only take AP classes so its better than it looks), my SAT is a 1470, and I would say I’m in pretty good shape (lift, as well as a 18:54 5k time). Do I need to improve my GPA or anything to get into West Point or is it just having good relations with congressman and letting the application process take place?
 
Yes, you can always have a better SAT score. (Many candidates have scores north of 1500.)

Yes, you can always improve your grades. (Many candidates have AP-heavy transcripts with nothing less than an A.)

No, having a good relationship (or any relationship) with your MOC has nothing to do with it. Nomination panels and/or MOC staff make the selections, not the MOCs themselves.

Yes, let the application process unfold. No one here can tell you your chances. There are way too many variables, and way too little we know about you and your local competition.

Want a better idea of where you stand? Go to USMA’s website and find the latest class profile. Also find the online CFA instruction sheet, which has averages for USMA appointees. Take it from there.
 
JWavey17 said:
Right now I’m a junior in high school. My grades are above average (3.76 unweighted GPA, but only take AP classes so its better than it looks), my SAT is a 1470, and I would say I’m in pretty good shape (lift, as well as a 18:54 5k time). Do I need to improve my GPA or anything to get into West Point or is it just having good relations with congressman and letting the application process take place?
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I don't know how you rate over all but your SAT score is very good. The GPA probably could be better. They are also going to look at your athletics and leadership. Varsity athlete, team captain, national honor society officer etc. and of course the CFA score. Where you live is a factor too. If you are from a less competitive congressional district your chances are higher.
 
You need leadership in your application. As a junior you should plan to attend boys/girls state which is only available at the end of junior year. Speak to your school counselor, or as in my sons case, if they are unaware of the program go to a local American legion post.
 
It’s very competitive to get in. And a lot of those applying have super grades and test scores and many will have wind at their back which gives them a leg up.

Prior military and QBs being two examples of those who will have a leg up on you.

I’d tell my S or D that unless the SA is recruiting you I’d apply to more than one. If the goal is to attend a SA and then serve your country in the military as an officer.

id have them consider 3 or 4 SAs to give them a better chance. And ROTC,
 
JWavey17 said:
Right now I’m a junior in high school. My grades are above average (3.76 unweighted GPA, but only take AP classes so its better than it looks), my SAT is a 1470, and I would say I’m in pretty good shape (lift, as well as a 18:54 5k time). Do I need to improve my GPA or anything to get into West Point or is it just having good relations with congressman and letting the application process take place?
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DS had very similar stats to yours. Everything depends on the competition in your district. I am sure candidates with better numbers have been rejected and vice versa. Keep grinding and the best of luck to you.
 
It's significantly more competitive than "letting the process take place" regardless of your nomination source. Your grades and test scores are pretty good, but that's table stakes at an SA. You need the athletics too, which you seem to have, and then you'll need evidence of leadership (which counts at least as much as the physical stuff) followed by essays, an interview, and only then do you get to your congressman (where the relationship won't count for nearly as much as you think given the typical role of selection boards.) And where you live will matter way more than you think once you start hunting for a nomination. You might be able to "let the process take place" for ROTC, but the SA road is long and crowded with fellow travelers. Go read up on the details, maybe start addressing your leadership list, and decide if any other academy is worth applying to, then get started. Keep your head up and your feet moving and you'll end up where you were meant to be. Good luck.
 
Also continue to seek out ways to improve the application. Some coaches will name an athlete as team captain if the coach sees it will benefit an athlete--you can simply inquire. DS as a junior also looked at an opportunity for class office position, evaluated the folks running for class president and felt like he could win. He smartly campaigned and won, adding a significant leadership position in the fall of his senior year.

Finally our experience was that the nomination is non-political. We are the opposite party of our elected officials and yet DS received a nomination.

Wish you the best!
 
Cookiemom said:
You need leadership in your application. As a junior you should plan to attend boys/girls state which is only available at the end of junior year. Speak to your school counselor, or as in my sons case, if they are unaware of the program go to a local American legion post.
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Most Boys and Girls State programs have websites where you can learn more and leave your contact details. Someone will then reach out to you. I am in WPFF and greatly involved with my state's Boys and Girls State programs - the easiest way to earn leadership points for candidates that are light in that category. GPA has not been part of the Whole Candidate Scoring for about 3 years. Many schools no longer rank students, so WP just took the super-scored percentile and applied to the GPA piece. No they weight the SS percentile test scores a bit more. Your test score are fine but take both again, and try to take the writing/essay part of ACT. All the top candidates have rocking test scores, so it's all about leadership positions - quality over quantity. Read my previous posts about SOEs - those are the silent killer for some candidates. Good luck.
 
JWavey17 said:
Right now I’m a junior in high school. My grades are above average (3.76 unweighted GPA, but only take AP classes so its better than it looks), my SAT is a 1470, and I would say I’m in pretty good shape (lift, as well as a 18:54 5k time). Do I need to improve my GPA or anything to get into West Point or is it just having good relations with congressman and letting the application process take place?
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SAT is pretty good, but I would take it again and try to get to north of 1500. You may want to start training for CFA. My DS’s weakest is pull-up, for which he began training about this time of last year and went from 6 to 18. Took him nearly 10 months.
 
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